Method for a lottery game

ABSTRACT

A method for conducting a game of chance according to the present disclosure includes allowing players to register for the game of chance online and then identifying in an initial drawing one or more winning sets of winning player information. Afterwards, the initial winning players are brought to a common location and a second drawing among the winning players is conducted and broadcast to the public. The final winning player from the second drawing is then awarded a monetary prize and presented with an option of an additional monetary prize or an additional non-monetary prize. Alternatively, and/or in addition to registering online, players may purchase tickets for the game of chance, the tickets including game play information.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 12/710,040, entitled “Method for a Lottery Game,” which was filed on Feb. 22, 2010 and which is based on and claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/306,247, entitled “Method for a Lottery Game,” filed on Feb. 19, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a method for carrying out a game of chance, and more particularly to a method for carrying out a two-level game of chance wherein the winner is presented with a prize option or options, at least one of which includes a non-monetary prize.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various games of chance are well-known. While there are many contexts in which games of chance are implemented, the present disclosure is directed to a method for a lottery-based game of chance with a musical theme. Well-known, conventional lottery games include, for example, Powerball® and Mega Millions®. Players enter such conventional lottery games by purchasing a ticket containing an initial set of game play information, usually a set of numbers chosen either by the player or by an automated system, such as a computer. Upon the occurrence of a pre-determined event (e.g., on a set date and time), ticket sales for the particular lottery game are discontinued and a second set of game play information is randomly chosen (e.g., by ping pong balls bearing game play information, or by electronic means such as a random number generator). The second set of game play information is then publicized on television, radio, internet, newspapers, etc. so that players can determine whether some or all of the game play information on their ticket matches the second set of game play information. The player (or players) with the winning ticket submits the ticket for validation and claims the corresponding monetary prize.

Conventional lottery games use known operating systems. One embodiment of the present disclosure utilizes these existing systems as its platform, including, for example, those systems disclosed in the following prior art references, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,030 (entitled “Method and Device for Data Input”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,319 (entitled “Method of Playing a Game of Chance Including Purchase of Additional Game Play Information and System for Facilitating the Play Thereof”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,484 (entitled “Games, and Method and Apparatus for Game Play in Games of Chance”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,312 (entitled “Wagering System Using Smartcards for Transfer of Agent Terminal Data); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,700 (“Mark Sense Detector with Variable Threshold”). While the teachings of the prior art generally disclose systems which may be employed for the initial, lottery level of the game of the present disclosure, it should be appreciated that the game of the present disclosure may also employ improvements on the same or similar systems.

While the present disclosure describes a game of chance having an initial level that is similar to a conventional lottery game, and indeed may use the existing systems of conventional lottery games as its platform, it also incorporates a second level drawing or selection from among the winners of the initial lottery level of the game. Additionally, the game of the present disclosure incorporates a feature of requiring the winning player(s) of the second level to choose between two or more prize options. One such prize option is the chance for the winner(s) to earn a music contract with a music producer and/or record company. Additionally, as is further described below, the game of the present disclosure includes the feature of publicly broadcasting the drawings, the prize option selection, and events thereafter, and therefore also provides an entertainment experience for a viewing audience. The present disclosure's use of conventional lottery systems with a broadcasted second level drawing and unique, non-monetary prize options will create new markets and additional revenue sources that currently do not exist.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for conducting a game of chance, comprising the steps of (a) establishing participants in the game of change by at least one of (i) allowing players to register online to obtain membership information for a lottery membership group, and (ii) making tickets available to players, each ticket including game play information, wherein ticket data and game play information data are maintained in a lottery system database; (b) identifying in an initial drawing at least one of (i) one or more initial winning members from membership information of the lottery membership group, and (ii) one or more initial winning tickets containing initial game play information; (c) publicizing at least one of (i) the initial winning member information, the initial winning member information defining a group of initial set of winning members, and (ii) the initial winning game play information, the initial winning game play information defining a group of initial set of winning ticket holders; (d) performing an additional drawing if the initial set of winning members and/or the initial set of winning ticket holders does not equal a desired amount, including at least one of (i) identifying additional winning members from the membership information, and (ii) drawing additional winning game play information; (e) providing a monetary prize to an initial group of winners including at least one of an initial winning member and an initial winning player associated with the winning game play information; (f) generating an audio/visual broadcast of a second drawing for the initial group of winnings to establish a final winner; (g) offering the final winner a choice between an additional monetary prize and an opportunity to audition for a recording contract; and (h) generating an audio/visual broadcast of step (g).

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for playing a game of chance, comprising the steps of: (a) allowing players to register online for membership into a lottery membership group; (b) identifying in an initial drawing initial winning member information from a list of member information associated with members of the lottery membership group; (c) publicizing the winning member information; (d) drawing additional winning member information if the initial set of winning member information produces less than a desired number of winning members; (e) providing a monetary prize to the initial winning members; (f) generating an audio/visual broadcast of a second drawing for the initial winning members; (g) offering a winner of the second drawing a choice between an additional monetary prize and an opportunity to audition for a recording contract; and (h) generating an audio/visual broadcast of step (g).

The features of the present disclosure described above, as well as additional features, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an exemplary system for use in the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2-11 are block diagrams of various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

The embodiments described below are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Instead, the embodiments were selected for description to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the teachings of the disclosure.

Generally speaking, the method of the present disclosure can be applied to multiple games of chance, each with a different theme. The theme described in this disclosure, which is just one embodiment, is a music-related game of chance with an ultimate, non-monetary prize option being a chance at a music contract. The general music-related theme includes multiple subthemes for games of chance, each associated with a different genre of music (e.g., a game of chance where the prize is a chance at a hip hop music contract, or a game of chance where the prize is a chance at a country music contract).

Accordingly, one target audience for this embodiment includes individuals who are interested in a career in the music industry and believe that by demonstrating their musical talents to a producer or record company, they can secure a recording contract to launch that career. As such, the present embodiment not only offers a monetary prize, appealing to conventional lottery players who are motivated to purchase tickets by a desire to win a monetary prize, it also offers the winner(s) a chance at frame based on one's talent and/or skill, appealing to additional groups of potential players who are also motivated by the intangible benefits of pursuing their dreams.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary lottery system 200 according to an example of the present disclosure. Lottery system 200 includes one or more ticket machines 210, one or more point of sale terminals 220, a server 230, and a storage subsystem 240 including an operations control program 250, a prize pool 260, a game play data repository 270, and a ticket purchase data repository 280. In at least some embodiments, system 200 will also include at least one remote computer 290 capable of communicating with server 230. The server 230 may include a conventional microprocessor or custom designed control circuitry, and may be in communication via a network with the one or more ticket machines 210, one or more point of sale terminals 220, the storage subsystem 240, and/or remote computer 290. The server 230 may be used to control the operation of the lottery system 200, such as, for example, executing game control programs and/or carrying out procedures for facilitating the play of a lottery game (e.g., generating, authenticating, and tracking tickets and/or generating, authenticating, and tracking unique member identification data). It should be understood that although one server 230 is shown in FIG. 1, multiple servers may be employed.

The storage subsystem 240 may include RAM, ROM, disk, optical disk, flash memory, or other conventional storage media. The storage subsystem 240 may be a separate component from, or may be included as part of the server 230. The storage subsystem 240 may store programs and data used to control or facilitate the play of lottery games. For example, the storage subsystem 240 may store the operations control program 250, data relating to the prize pool 260, the game play information in the data repository 270, and the ticket purchase data in the data repository 280. The operations control program 250 may be used to control the sale and redemption of tickets and the procedures for playing and facilitating the play of the present lottery game. The prize pool 260 may correspond to the net prize pool amount, which may be a function of total ticket sales and the lottery system's overhead. Repositories 270 and 280 may be used to store game play information and ticket purchase data, respectively. It will be appreciated that the programs, data repositories, and prize pool need not be located in a particular storage subsystem, i.e., they could reside directly on the server or be spread across multiple storage subsystems. It will further be appreciated that system 200 can be configured to work with any variety of broadcast media, such as television, internet, radio, or other media.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted in flow chart form as a plurality of actions or steps. Each step is described in more detail below; however, the plurality of actions or steps are briefly introduced here. Box 10 represents the step of a player purchasing a lottery ticket that contains game play information (which information can be, for example, a set of integers or a set of symbols). Box 20 represents the step of performing a drawing to determine the initial winning game play information. Box 30 represents the step of determining whether a pre-determined number (n) of tickets with initial winning game information have been identified. If not, Box 40 represents the step of performing additional drawings until the pre-determined number of tickets has been achieved. Box 50 represents the step of bringing the purchasers of tickets containing initial winning game information to one location. Box 60 represents the step of performing a second drawing to determine the second winning game information. Box 70 represents the step of presenting the purchaser of the second winning ticket with a plurality of prize options. Box 80, shown in dashed lines, represents an optional final step of tracking the winner if the winner chooses a non-monetary prize option.

As indicated above, at box 10 a player purchases a ticket that contains game play information. This purchasing step employs any of a variety of known lottery game operating systems such as those referenced above, and is conventional except for the theme-related marketing of the tickets. The present disclosure may employ various ticket purchasing options. For example, in one option, the player is given the option of either selecting the game play information he or she wishes to be represented on each purchased ticket (e.g., picks a set of numbers), or purchasing ticket(s) containing randomly generated game play information. Thus, in this embodiment, the tickets sold will include some tickets with player selected game play information and some tickets with randomly generated game play information. Another option, however, is to only sell tickets which include game play information chosen by the player. Yet another option is to only sell tickets which include game play information randomly generated by the lottery system. Regardless of the ticket purchasing option implemented, game play information is processed by a point of sale computer and stored in a lottery system, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. Similarly, ticket data (e.g., date and time of purchase) may be stored in such a system.

In FIG. 2, ticket purchasing (box 10) stops at a pre-determined date and time, generally corresponding to the date and time of the initial drawing. In one embodiment, the ticket purchasing represented by box 10 spans a time period of one week. After ticket sales stop, the initial drawing occurs as is represented by box 20. The initial drawing may be broadcast, live or as a recording, in a variety of mediums, including, but not limited to, television, radio, or internet, and can occur in a variety of ways. For example, the initial drawing can occur electronically using a computer or some type of random number generator and broadcast to the public over the selected media. It should be appreciated that the manner in which the drawing occurs is not limited by this disclosure, but includes all known techniques for drawing game play information in a lottery system, as well as any improvements of existing drawing means. Regardless of the method of drawing, or the number of drawings (which, as just described, and as indicated by boxes 30 and 40, can be only one, or more than one), the purpose of the drawing step is to randomly select a set of game play information that matches at least one set of game play information that was purchased prior to the drawing.

It should also be appreciated that the ticket purchasing option employed by a game according to the present disclosure may impact the initial drawing (box 20), and thus the determination of whether a pre-determined number of winning tickets were drawn, as represented by box 30. For example, when the game is configured to sell only unique, computer generated sets of game play information, only one winning ticket will be identified for each set of game play information established at the initial drawing. Accordingly, if the pre-determined number of winning tickets is 10, for example, the initial drawing of box 20 will have to be repeated 10 times. Alternatively, when the game is configured to sell player-selected sets of game play information (or a combination of computer-generated and player selected game play information), more than one winning ticket may correspond to each set of game play information established at the initial drawing, making it possible that only a single initial drawing is necessary.

In this configuration, system 200 determines after each initial drawing whether the predetermined number of winning tickets is drawn, and repeats the initial drawing as many times as needed to identify the pre-determined number of winners. In the event too many winners are selected at the initial drawing, various means are available for determining which players will advance to the second drawing. For example, one embodiment will allow a pre-determined number of winners who are the first to validate their winning ticket to advance to the second drawing. Additionally, another embodiment will allow a pre-determined number of winners based on who purchased their ticket first. It should be appreciated that there are multiple ways the operator of a lottery system can determine which players are the winners if situations such as the foregoing were to occur. It should be further understood that in a variation of the present disclosure, the predetermined number of winners may be a minimum number of winners. In such an embodiment, the initial drawing is repeated (if necessary) until the predetermined number of winners is reached, but no technique is employed to reduce the number of winners if the predetermined number of winners is exceeded. As an example, the predetermined number of winners may be two, to ensure that a second-level drawing takes place, but the outcome of the initial drawing may be three or more winners. In this embodiment, all of the winners will participate in the second-level drawing.

Once the initial drawing of box 20 is complete, such that the predetermined number of tickets containing initial winning game play information is satisfied (box 30), the purchasers of the winning tickets are brought to a common location, as indicated by box 50. At that time, a second level drawing (box 60) will occur in order to determine which player is the ultimate winner. As with the first drawing (box 20), this second drawing (box 60) may be broadcast, live or as a recording, over any of a variety of media. For example, the drawings can occur before a studio audience and/or be broadcast over any variety of network television channels, such as ABC, CBS, BET, MTV, etc. Simultaneously, or alternatively, the drawings can be streamed across the internet, on a variety of websites, regardless of the domain owner. Accordingly, the common location includes at least one audio/video acquisition device coupled to a broadcast network.

Also like the first drawing (box 20), the second drawing (box 60) is not limited by any specific means of drawing; however, a distinction between the first and second drawings is that the second drawing (box 60) will be configured to narrow the number of winner(s). Depending upon the desired implementation, there may be only one ultimate, second-level winner, or there may be multiple second-level winners. Also, if multiple purchasers can choose the same set of game information, the initial drawing allows multiple winners with the same set of game information, and the same tickets that were initially purchased are re-used in the second drawing, the second drawing will involve a known set, or sets, of game information. Accordingly, the second drawing will need an additional point of distinction between each purchaser in order to properly choose a second winner. It is appreciated that, if such a situation arises, the entity operating the lottery game will choose a point of distinction such that an ultimate winner can be selected.

As an alternative embodiment, the initial tickets can be discarded and the initial winners can each be given new symbols (e.g., the numbers 1 through n, wherein n is the number of winners of the first-level drawing), which will act as identification, and the second drawing (box 60) can be based on those new symbols. Again, the drawing means for the second drawing (box 60) is not limited.

As indicated by box 70, after the winner is selected from the second-level drawing, he or she will be presented with either a single prize or a plurality of prize options, from which the winner must choose one. The single prize is a non-monetary prize, while the plurality of prize options can include a monetary prize and one or more non-monetary prizes. For example, the winner of the second drawing can be presented with a monetary prize option in addition to a non-monetary prize option or options, such as an opportunity to record a demo and be evaluated by a recording studio for a record contract. Any monetary prize option can be determined in a variety of ways. For instance, the monetary prize can option be a pre-determined amount. Alternatively, the monetary prize option can be a percentage of the net earnings from ticket sales. It should be appreciated that the foregoing monetary prize options are merely exemplary, and the calculation of the monetary prize option is not limited to those examples. Additionally, in this embodiment, it should be appreciated that any costs or expenses of any music or record company associated with a recording contract non-monetary prize will be covered by the proceeds from lottery ticket sales. In this manner, the record company has no disincentive to participating in the evaluation of the winner of the second-level drawing who elects such a non-monetary prize option.

As indicated above, if only a single, non-monetary prize is presented, in this music-themed embodiment, the prize will be an opportunity to pursue a music contract. This opportunity or opportunities can include, for example: a free trip to and/or tour of a music company or production company; the opportunity to audition for music industry executives; and/or the opportunity to have a demo produced by a music production company. The winner may use his or her discretion in choosing any one of these exemplary opportunities, if that is how they are presented. Alternatively, the winner can enjoy each opportunity, if they are presented together. As noted, these are merely exemplary opportunities, are should not be understood to limit any non-monetary prize options available in the present embodiment.

By comparison, if a plurality of prize options is presented, including monetary and non-monetary prizes, at least one of the non-monetary prize options will be an opportunity to pursue a music contract. For example, in such an embodiment, the winner may be forced to choose between a pre-determined amount of money and the opportunity to pursue a music contract. This choice is likely to enhance viewer excitement if the drawing (and thus the presentation of prize options) are broadcast on any variety of media. The opportunity may be as described above, and a music contract can include, but is not limited to, an agreement between the winner and a music production company or recording studio, wherein the winner aspires to be a vocalist. As another example, a music contract can include an agreement between the winner and a music production company, wherein the winner aspires to be a music producer. The foregoing types of music contracts and opportunities are merely exemplary, and should not be interpreted to limit the disclosure in any way.

Additionally, as indicated by box 80, tracking of the winner of the second drawing may occur if the winner chooses a non-monetary prize option, such as the opportunity to pursue a music contract. For example, this tracking may be broadcast, and may follow the opportunities the winner has in pursuing a record contract, such as following the winner on his or her tour of the studio, or during recording of a demo, or both. In this embodiment, the location for delivery of the non-monetary prize option (e.g., the recording company) includes at least one audio/video device coupled to a broadcast network.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the method of the present disclosure includes the teachings of the example in FIG. 2, but also allows for multiple winners of the second drawing, that is, multiple winners that are presented with a prize option or options. In this embodiment, when multiple winners select a non-monetary prize option of pursuing a record deal, the multiple winners may then engage in a talent contest, judged, for example, by representatives of the recording studio. This process may also be broadcast (box 81), for example, for the enjoyment of a viewing audience.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, these embodiments of the present disclosure include the teachings of the examples in FIGS. 2-3, but do not include bringing the initial winners to a single location before the second drawing is conducted. Thus, for example, the second drawing (box 60) can occur, and the winner or winners can be notified in any variety of ways, including, but not limited to, television, radio, mail (electronic or paper), newspaper, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the method of the present disclosure includes the teachings of FIG. 2, but also includes two additional steps (boxes 90 and 100). As a result, the method of this embodiment includes presenting initial and secondary prizes corresponding to each level of lottery (i.e., each drawing). The initial prize can either be a single prize, either monetary or non-monetary, or can be multiple prize options, either monetary or non-monetary, or both. However, in this embodiment, if an initial prize is non-monetary, it cannot be the non-monetary prize offered to the winner of the second drawing. Additionally, the initial winners must choose whether to accept an initial prize. If the initial winners accept an initial prize, they are no longer eligible for the second drawing. By adding the initial prize option step, the present embodiment includes an additional level of chance and risk to the purchasers of winning tickets, and it is believed this additional level of chance and risk will increase both player excitement and viewer excitement if the process is broadcast to a viewing audience, as previously described.

Additionally, as a result of the initial prize option represented in box 90, in the present embodiment, it is also necessary for the additional step of determining whether a predetermined number of initial winners remain in order for the second drawing to occur (box 100). It should be appreciated that the predetermined number of remaining initial winners does not necessarily have to be the same predetermined number of tickets with initial winning game information drawn in the initial drawing. Moreover, all of the above-described variations of predetermined numbers may apply in this embodiment.

Like the prize option or options in the FIG. 2 embodiment, the secondary prize option(s) in this embodiment can be either a single prize or a plurality of prize options, from which the winner will choose one. The single prize option can be a non-monetary prize, while the plurality of prize options can include a monetary prize and one or more non-monetary prizes. Alternatively, a prize option can include a combination of monetary and non-monetary prizes. If only a single, non-monetary prize is presented, it is appreciated that, in the present embodiment, that prize will be the opportunity to pursue a music contract. Whereas if a plurality of prize options is presented in this embodiment, including monetary and non-monetary prizes, at least one of the non-monetary prize options will be an option to pursue a music contract.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the method of the present disclosure includes the teachings of the example in FIG. 6, but also allows for multiple winners of the second drawing, that is, multiple winners that are presented with a secondary prize or prize options.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-9, these embodiments of the present disclosure include the teachings of the examples in FIGS. 6-7, but do not include bringing the initial winners to a single location before the second drawing is conducted. Therefore, the presentation of the initial prize option(s) can occur, and the winner or winners can be notified in any variety of ways, including, but not limited to, television, radio, mail (electronic or paper), newspaper, etc. The winner or winners can also communicate their choice of prize options to the operator of the lottery system in any of the foregoing ways, or by any other known means of communication accepted by the operator. Additionally, in these embodiments, the second drawing can occur, and the winner or winners can be notified in any variety of ways, including, but not limited to, television, radio, mail (electronic or paper), newspaper, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 10, in an alternative embodiment, a game of chance of the present disclosure may include both selling tickets, as previously disclosed and described with respect to FIGS. 1-9, and also allowing players to register on a website to be a member or registrant (hereinafter referred to as “member”) in a lottery group. In this embodiment, there may be multiple types of lottery groups, and players will choose the type of group they would like to be a member of, such as, for example, a membership group focusing on a hip-hop music-themed lottery. In one embodiment, players will be charged a fee upon registration to be in the membership. In an alternate embodiment, registration for drawings will be free, and revenue will be generated through advertising on the website. In any event, whether players register as members (with or without a fee) or simply registrants for one or more lottery games, upon completing the registration process (e.g., generating a username and password), players will receive a unique identification, such as a data set of integers or symbols, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, a member will receive a separate, unique identification upon completing registration in each lottery membership group. This unique identification will be used in all drawings based on online lottery membership groups, wherein the members will be chosen as potential ultimate winners of the lottery. In another embodiment, the identification members receive upon initial registration for any one group will be the same identification members use for all subsequent registrations. Thus, at least in this embodiment, a player may be prompted to login to a website, using a username and password that is generated upon registration.

It should also be understood that members may register to be a member in an online lottery group in ways other than going to a website. For example, members may be able to register for a lottery group from a remote location by sending a text message, calling in to a central call center, e-mailing an appropriate person or organization, or even filing a registration form by regular mail. Any revenues generated from registration by, for example, sending a text message, can be used for the lottery group. In this embodiment, the members' phone number or mailing address may serve as the members' identification.

Referring still to FIG. 10, as indicated in box 10′, an option presented in this embodiment of the present disclosure includes allowing players to register online for membership into a lottery membership group in addition to allowing players to purchase tickets that include game play information. As with the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 1-9, in this embodiment, registration for a particular lottery game may occur until a predetermined date and time (e.g., up until one day before the drawing). Moreover, any drawings and/or subsequent events may be publically broadcast as described above. Finally, as previously mentioned, it should be understood that this embodiment contemplates and includes the same variations as disclosed and discussed previously with reference to FIGS. 1-9, and should not be limited to simply the block diagram illustrated in FIG. 10.

Referring now to FIG. 11, in yet another embodiment, the game of chance of the present disclosure may be implemented by drawing winning identification data from a database of online lottery group members, which database is created by allowing players to register online for membership into a lottery membership group, box 10′. No tickets are sold in this embodiment; instead, the winners are chosen from a group consisting of members of the online lottery group. As with the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, there may be multiple types of lottery groups, and players will choose the type of group of which they would like to be a member. Also similar to the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, players may be charged a fee upon registration to be in the membership, and upon completing the registration requirements, players will receive a unique identification, such as a data set of integers or symbols, or combinations thereof. The type of identification and methods for applying the identification to the lottery drawings in this embodiment are the same as discussed above with regard to FIG. 10. The same is true for any fees that may be required upon registration, the time period during which players may register, and the act of broadcasting any subsequent drawings of the winning identification. Finally, as previously mentioned, it should be understood that this embodiment contemplates and includes the same variations as disclosed and discussed previously with reference to FIGS. 1-9, and should not be limited to simply the block diagram illustrated in FIG. 11.

A specific example of the method of the present disclosure is described below. The game begins when a player purchases a ticket. The player will purchase a ticket based upon the type, or theme of lottery which he or she desires to play. For example, if the player aspires to be a hip hop singer or producer, the player will likely purchase a ticket for the hip hop lottery game. The player may either select the game play information to be represented on his ticket, or may allow a randomly generated set of game play information to be created. The ticket will be generated by, and data relating to the ticket stored according to the exemplary lottery system 200. The player will then wait for the initial drawing and the results thereof, which are broadcast on television and published on websites and in newspapers. If the player is among the group of players having winning game information, the player will be brought to a location, such as B.E.T. studios, where a second drawing will occur. A studio audience, including, for example, the initial winning players' family and friends, may be present for the second drawing. The second drawing will also be broadcast on any variety of known media, and, as a result of the second drawing, one winner will be selected. At that time, the winner will be presented with a monetary prize (e.g., $25,000) and the choice of either an additional monetary prize (e.g., $50,000) or the opportunity to pursue a music contract. The players' decision will likely create a great deal of anxiety, both for the player, his or her friends and family, and the viewing audience. The winner who chooses, in addition to the initial monetary prize, the opportunity to pursue a music contract will have their trials and tribulations throughout the music contract process monitored and broadcast to a national and/or international audience.

While this disclosure has been described as having an exemplary design, the present disclosure may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this disclosure is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains. 

1. A method for playing a game of chance, comprising the steps of: (a) establishing participants in the game of change by at least one of (i) allowing players to register online to obtain membership information for a lottery membership group, and (ii) making tickets available to players, each ticket including game play information, wherein ticket data and game play information data are maintained in a lottery system database; (b) identifying in an initial drawing at least one of (i) one or more initial winning members from membership information of the lottery membership group, and (ii) one or more initial winning tickets containing initial game play information; (c) publicizing at least one of (i) the initial winning member information, the initial winning member information defining a group of initial set of winning members, and (ii) the initial winning game play information, the initial winning game play information defining a group of initial set of winning ticket holders; (d) performing an additional drawing if the initial set of winning members and/or the initial set of winning ticket holders does not equal a desired amount, including at least one of (i) identifying additional winning members from the membership information, and (ii) drawing additional winning game play information; (e) providing a monetary prize to an initial group of winners including at least one of an initial winning member and an initial winning player associated with the winning game play information; (f) generating an audio/visual broadcast of a second drawing for the initial group of winnings to establish a final winner; (g) offering the final winner a choice between an additional monetary prize and an opportunity to audition for a recording contract; and (h) generating an audio/visual broadcast of step (g).
 2. The method of claim 1, further including the step (i) of generating an audio/visual broadcast of the final winner auditioning for a record contract.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of (i) broadcasting the audition for the recording contract when the final winner chooses the opportunity of auditioning for the record contract.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the players pay a fee to register online for membership into a lottery membership group.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the winning member information comprises a unique data set assigned to each member upon registration.
 6. A method for playing a game of chance, comprising the steps of: (a) allowing players to register via electronic communication for membership into a lottery membership group; (b) identifying in an initial drawing initial winning member information from a list of member information associated with members of the lottery membership group; (c) publicizing the winning member information; (d) drawing additional winning member information if the initial set of winning member information produces less than a desired number of winning members, and (e) providing a monetary prize to the initial winning members; (f) generating an audio/visual broadcast of a second drawing for the initial winning members; (g) offering a winner of the second drawing a choice between an additional monetary prize and an opportunity to audition for a recording contract; and (h) generating an audio/visual broadcast of step (g).
 7. The method of claim 6, further including the step (i) of generating an audio/visual broadcast of the winner of the second drawing auditioning for a record contract.
 8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of (i) broadcasting the audition for the recording contract when the winner of the second drawing chooses the opportunity of auditioning for a record contract.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein the players pay a fee to register online for membership into a lottery membership group.
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the initial winning member information comprises a unique data set assigned to each member upon registration. 